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Champions League participants in poor form

Sevilla and Valencia are struggling with numerous absences and poor form, but Sevilla rely on home pitch where they already defeated Barcelona and Real Madrid this season

RCD Espanyol

Sevilla have a horrible week behind them and fans from Andalusia will try to forget it as soon as possible. There is great disproportion between Sevilla's home and away games, and unfortunately for the fans, this week had two away games. The first one was at Real Sociedad who won 2-0 led by a new coach, and the second one was a Champions League game at Borussia Monchengladbach where Sevilla lost 4-2 and was eliminated out of the Champions League and probably Europa League as well. 

- We have to forget everything that has happened and maximally prepare for the championship game. I always point out that the championship is the most important competition because only there can you see the regularity of a team's performances. We want to get back on the winning track in front of our fans. I understand that they doubt our abilities, but I invite them to support us this time as well. We expect the strongest possible Valencia at Sanchez Pizjuan, and if we could defeat Real Madrid and Barcelona here, then we can defeat Valencia as well - Unai Emery tried to spread optimism. 

Despite bad results, Emery doesn't have any room to make any changes in the line up, especially not in the defense where he is, once again, missing Nicolas Pareja, Dani Carrico and Marco Andreolli. Except for this trio, goalkeeper Beto has been absent for a while, and so has defender Gael Kakuta.

Valencia earned four points more than today's hosts in the championship so far, but the situation in their camp is even more serious since the fans turned on Nuno Espirito Santo a long time ago. This week's results also aren't in Nuno's favor. After a disappointing performance and only a point against weak Las Palmas, Valencia suffered a defeat in Saint Petersburg against Zenit, and they are on the verge of elimination from the Champions League. 

- I am not running away from the fact that we are not playing well and that we are not in good form, but the fact that I see determination to change to situation in the eyes of my players gives me the optimism. I believe in the quality of my players, we will continue to work hard and I am convinced that the quality will come out eventually. There is no fear, but a desire to react and I hope that we will see a much better Valencia already in Sevilla - said Nuno Espirito Santo.

Portuguese coach is also having problems with absences, he cannot count on Diego Alves and Rodrigo Moreno again, but also defender Shkodran Mustafi who recently suffered a major injury again. Midfielder Pablo Piatti will miss the game because of a minor injury, and Antonio Barragam who was absent last week is questionable. Supposedly forward Alvaro Negro is also injured, but Nuno didn't count on him anyway.